my dad has just been back for 12 mnth check after a scc removed from lip..hes had a swelling around the chin area where alot of reconstruction went on,hes been concerned for few weeks now and we all thought it was scar tissue as his 6 mnth check was fine..after a cat scan they came back with a diagnosis ... a tumour that is wrapped round his voice box lymph nodes and tongue organs,and they doubt its operable..and told us to prepare for the worse.from him getting first scan results yesterday hes been sent for pet scan today more tomorrow and then results again tuesday..what the and how the did this happen within a check up 6 months ago and now..please has anyone been or had close to this diagnosis, im unsure of the outcome and scared to death of it...is there a chance of survival with out an operation if it does turn out to be the case..other than slight high blood pressure hes fit as a fiddle at 67

Welcome to OCF! So sorry to hear about your fathers recurrence.

Its pretty difficult to try giving any type of prognosis over the internet. The best thing I can tell you is to find the very best medical professionals available and then finding some at a different cancer center for a second opinion.

The treatments to eliminate cancer are either surgery or radiation with or without chemo. If surgery and radiation are out of the question than sadly your father wont be curable. Chemo can be given as a palliative measure to help shrink the tumor and extend his life. But chemo alone will not cure his cancer. Some 'old school' medical professionals will say radiation is only a one time option. But there are several members here who have had it more than once. This is a very individual thing and varies on a case by case basis. If your father hasnt had radiation then I would suggest asking. Even if he has had it ask if a second round is possible.

Best wishes with everything!!!

thanks so much for ur response, he has more tests tomorrow and most of next week,hes of the oppinion tha he doesnt want surgery if it is even possible but hopefully he will change his mind once hes had time to take it all in..the strange thing is he is doin everything normally eating drinking,no signs of anything wrong which is making it harder to take in,is this usually something that grows rapidly or will it take its time before it starts changing his way of life,i guess im wondering which way is the better way of life , operation and sick/uncomfortable/miserable for too long a time(and maybe not get all of it anyway),verses let nature take its course and hope for the best and live what life is left comfortably..

Its a very hard decision to make! But until all the test come in and your father knows what he is dealing with and potential treatment plans, its not possible to decide his fate yet.

I walked around with Stage IV OC in 2009. When my doc told me to get my affairs in order as it was very serious and Stage IV, I could tn believe it. I really felt great, lots of energy and had no symptoms at all. Many times OC presents no symptoms until late stages which is why it is such a deadly disease and sometimes so hard to treat.

Kaykay,

Eventually this disease gets ugly and painful. I know that when my recurrence happened I developed severe pain when the tumor invaded a space occupied by a bundle of nerves. One day I'm fine and the next day I am in severe pain.

My brother had a diagnosis similar to your father. He went through surgery and radiation and is good now 1 year out. He still has his vocal chords but speaks with a gravelly voice. He eats soft foods and is working his way up to full meals but does not need a feeding tube.

Your dad will have to wait a bit before they give him a treatment plan and it will be hard for anyone here to give you much advice until then. I would recommend he get a second opinion no matter what they come back with. Different places have different approaches. Try and get to a Comprehensive Cancer Center if you can.

Kaykay

What part of Australia does your father live in? Do you know which hospital or Cancer Centre he is currently attending?

There are several members from Australia on this site. Has he had a second opinion? Perhaps we can provide suggestions regarding Medical specialists in his area.

Karen

he is living in victoria,goin to peter mac and has days of tests to go with some results early next week..theyve given appointments for a dietician speech and a range of other things,is this a sign that it may be operable?or will it need to be done reardless..eventually

also am glad your brother has come through ok...i pray for the same outcome for my dad,thank you

Kaykay

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is the right place for Head and Neck Cancer patients. Arranging appointments with a Nutritionist, Speech Therapist etc is standard procedure at Peter MacCallum CC. Once they have your father�s latest test results they will probably take the information to a Tumor Board within the Cancer Centre where his case and treatment options will be discussed by Surgeons and Oncologists. Tumor Boards meet regularly so treatment plans are provided quickly to patients.

Hopefully they will decide on a plan for him asap.

Karen

thanks so much,i thought that was the best place to be dealing with him...i pray to god that this is operable,its now just the waiting game..the worse bit